Panther on the Storm
Light heavyweight Edison Miranda is coming off a year-long hiatus to take on undefeated Eleider Alvarez at the Bell Centre in Montreal…
“Into this house we’re born
Into this world we’re thrown
Like a dog without a bone
An actor out on loan”—Riders on the Storm, The Doors
Light heavyweight Edison Miranda is coming off a year-long hiatus to take on undefeated Eleider Alvarez at the Bell Centre in Montreal for a scheduled 10 rounds on September 28.
Thirty-two-year-old Miranda (35-8, 30 KOs), a 12-year pro, won his first 26 bouts, 23 by stoppage. But things have been none too rosy for him lately. He last fought in September 2012, defeated by Tony Bellew by ninth-round TKO. “Pantera” also lost his only other fight that year, defeated by Isaac Chilemba by unanimous decision in February. In addition, Miranda has lost to Arthur Abraham (twice), Kelly Pavlik, Andre Ward, Lucian Bute, and Yordanis Despaigne.
The Colombian last won in December 2011, stopping Kariz Kariuki by fifth-round TKO.
Alvarez (12-0, 8 KOs) is a four-year pro who most recently fought this March, stopping Nicholson Poulard by third-round TKO. “Storm,” a Colombian now fighting out of Montreal, had four bouts last year, beating Rayco Saunders in April and Shawn Hawk in June, both by unanimous decision, and stopping Daniel Regi by second-round TKO in October and Danny McIntosh by eighth-round KO in December.
I’m one of the few who has a soft spot for Miranda. His toughness, tinged with brutishness, appeals to my lowbrow standards. His background is so survival-of-the-fittest that Jack Dempsey, at least in comparison, seems to have been born with a silver spoon in his mouth. But he’s very much a spent force, as his spotty record over the past several years makes clear. Factor in ring rust and his 29-year-old opponent’s favorite-son status, and the dice seem to be loaded against the man who calls himself “God’s warrior.”
A 13th win for Alvarez? A ninth knockout? Yes and yes.
kid vegas 06:59pm, 09/04/2013
I’m thinking of using that photo on my Facebook page
Clarence George 05:55am, 09/04/2013
Quite right, Pete. Miranda’s background is indeed extraordinarily impressive, but as a top-tier boxer…he’ll never again grasp at the brass ring. I don’t know if retirement looms, but perhaps it should.
Ted 05:27am, 09/04/2013
Pete has the beat
Pete The Sneak 05:16am, 09/04/2013
I too have always been a fan of ‘Pantera.’ more so probably because of his incredible survivalist past than his early boxing successes when he was wiping everyone out (not to mention he also adopted Puerto Rico as his home away from home and Puerto Rico has reciprocated in kind). A quiet, humble genetleman outside the ring, Miranda is proof positive that despite what may seem like everything in the world is against you, you don’t have to always end up being against the world. With that being said however, I think Pantera is done as a top flight fighter. I just hope he doesn’t get hurt. Will Alvarez beat Miranda? Yeah, I would say Alvarez youth and toughness will slow down and stop Pantera, however all Miranda needs is one solid over the top right hand to get Eleider’s attention and then perhaps we’ll see how the ‘Storm’ responds. Peace.
Clarence George 05:05am, 09/04/2013
Yes, that fight was something else. Not an Abraham fan, but what a Profile in Courage.
I, too, love the photo. The panther is hidden behind the houses in the background, ready to pounce.
Ted 04:51am, 09/04/2013
great photo. In some ways it reminds me of Tommy Morrison
Ted 04:50am, 09/04/2013
Poor Miranda is in for a bad night but he always brings some heat. His first fight with AA was one that woke up and alerted the Transylvanian population and got the attention of the Geneva Convention. Referee Neumann looked like he was in an episode of True Blood.